I have always enjoyed shooting. It may not be the most ladylike pastime, especially when using a 45 caliber handgun, but there is something immensely satisfying about planting a projectile right slap bang in the middle of a target.
One particular branch of shooting that has always held a particular fascination is archery. There is something very noble about the Bow and Arrow. Dispensing with telescopic sights and high powered ammunition is like stepping back in time. The mental and physical challenges of consistently accurate archery are immense, and therefore extremely rewarding.
Using a simple wooden bow with no sights, and no high tech release trigger raises the stakes even higher. It is not for nothing that Archery is known as the “Art of Repetition”
I was until just before my Transition an active member of a local Archery club. Sunday mornings were filled with pleasant walks, good company and of course some very satisfying action with Bows and Arrows.
This lady likes to shoot Bows as well as wear them 🙂
However, I backed away from the Club as I had no desire to share the details of my transition with the members. It is not necessarily a terribly “Macho ” environment, there were a number of female archers who shot regularly and competitively, but it didn’t feel like the kind of group that would respond well to something so personal and challenging.
Winding forwards to a couple of weeks ago, whilst Jane and I were out shopping for a new printer, and we bumped into the Range Safety Officer. He expressed some delight at catching up. “Why don’t we see you on Sunday anymore ?” he asked. I explained about my transition, the changes I was going through and the challenges we had been facing. He listened intently and then said with a slight grin “So why don’t we see you on a Sunday anymore ?”
An essential component of my recovery from the deep depression is exercise and mental stimulation. Archery is a sport that rewards concentration and focus, so right now, it is just what I need.
Today I emailed the club President and put her in the picture, her reply was swift and remarkably positive. It seems like I don’t need to miss my Archery fix after all….
I think its time to go shopping for some Green Tights and a Tunic.
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